The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1887-01-26

4
from and aft r the passage OF a joint res
olution covering the subject. by the Leg
Islature which shall asse able in january.
1883. Il i believed that the pledge and
promise on this subject. which undoubt-
edly secured the votes Of many citizens,
viii b. most fairly met. and most fully
carried out, by the submission of such an
amendment 10 the Constitution. al a
special election. when no other question
viii engross public thought, and when
each citizen NAV vote his sentiments
upon that particular subject without ref
erance 10, or interference from. any
other.
LABOR INTEREST,"
The general interests Of labor have a
large place in public thought, and are re-
oeiying much Of public attention. The
term labor thus used. is restricted 10
the employed classes which labor with
their hands. II may e that all Of the
demands Of labor. - called, are not wise.
II may be that some ofits demands should
not be conceded. Il must BE- true, how
ever. that with discontent 70 widespread
and demand 80 general, there are wrongs
to be righted and remedies 10 be applied
which shall. or ought to, tighten the load,
and ease the burdens which labor has to
carry. The labor market is oveFstecked.
The supply ; greater than the demand.
The inevitable consequence Il want Of
opportunity 10 work. for men who are
able and willing TO work; inadequate
compensation 10 those who do work and
undue competition among those who are
seeking for employment In the present
condition of the industrial development
Of our country, the remedy for this state
of affairs i to be found largely in the
diversifcation Of our industries. This,
under our form Of government, Is a ques-
ton with which the General Government
through it. legislative and executive
branches, must almost exclusively deal.
This i not the time. nor i this the place,
for a general discussion Of this question
80 far a. It relates 10 the policy to he
pursued by the General Government
But there are some questions coming *
cIusirely within state control which de
mand attention. and TO which scarcely
more than an aIlusion can AZ present be
made Although the diversiication Of
our industries uependS largely upon Ma
tional legislation relating TO the duties
upon imported articles manufactured
abroad and the establishment and main
tenance Of 4 commercial marine some
thing may. doubtless, be- done by u in
lhis direction which viii not only open
up new avenues of employment. but
which viii elevate the whole tone and
standing Of labor. We have passed the
point at which our industries are confn-
I'd to their rudimentarv forms. We not
only minister to the absolute wants of
our people bv our industries. but w also
contribute 10 their enjoyment and to the
cultivation oftheir taste thereby. 1t be-
comes u, therefore, 10 provide Literally
for the education II our industrial classes
in all the branches Of industrial art. and
OF art As applied 20 industry which tends
10 multiply the avenues Of employment
and to incres~e the rewards Of ls0or
Labor Is entitled to education, To the
right to orsaniza for mutual improvement
and protection. to an equal voice in dx-
ing the wage rate, and the settlement Of
other questions in which it has a gitaI
interest, IN impartial arbitration when
irreconcilable differences between it and
It's employer arise. and 10 such legislation
As will enable it TO secure, If economical
aad frugal. homestead which shall be
preserved to it inviolable Opportunity
for more extended discussion Of these
rights Of labor may offer in the future. in
a communication 10 the legislature.
touching the importance and Necessity Of
legislation in regard 70 some Of them.and
remark upon them Is therefore limited
10 their mere enumeration.
EDUCATION
The question Of the reform and enlarge
ment OF our educational system i one
which should be brought tothe attention
Of the people Of our entire Common
wealth, with view Of securing extended
discussion and intelligent criticism II i
here introduced, because Of it. Importance.
at greater length than would BE- other
wise, desirable or proper. The time was
when a system Of popular education IN
der the direction Of the Commonwealth.
was opposed and bitterly I-sailed, and Its
introduction impeded by the masses Of
our people. The time Is now when the
demand Of the peoples n favor Of an en-
larged educational system. improved ed
ucational methods, and more thoroughly
competent instruction Within 4 short
time, on the streets Of our principal city,
a great procession Of its intelligent labor
ing population, numbering thirty thogss-
and or more, bore upon hundreds Of
transparencie- a demand, among other
things, for educstion and this in
city which leads all other localities in
the Commonwealth in the efficiency Of
its school system. in the hberality sith
which that system Is maintained, and in
the variety which Is introduced into it.